1. Root Adaptation
D. Crowley, 2008

2. Root Adaptation To know how roots are adapted for absorption
Wednesday, April 19, 2017Wednesday, April 19, 2017
To know how roots are adapted for absorption

3. True Or False
Look at the following, and decide if the statements are true or false…
New material in plants is called biomass
Plants use soil and water to make new biomass via respiration
Sound energy is needed for photosynthesis to occur
Photosynthesis produces glucose and carbon dioxide
Photosynthesis happens mainly in the palisade cells within the roots
Palisade cells are adapted to their function by having lots of chloroplasts
Plants use glucose to make cellulose, fats, proteins and starch
Roots take in water and minerals
Roots are adapted to take in water by having a small surface area
Water travels up the plant in xylem tubes
Plants need carbon dioxide to make glucose
Plants are important in making carbon dioxide to keep the atmosphere in balance
True
False - photo.
False - light
False – oxygen
False - leaves
True
True
True
False - large
True
True
False – oxygen produced to balance atmosphere

4. Roots What are the functions of roots? Absorb water Absorb minerals
Anchorage (hold the plant to the ground)

5. Microscopes
Look at the samples of root under the microscope – how are they adapted for absorption?
Water and minerals are absorbed from the soil via the roots
The roots are covered with millions of tiny root hair cells
These have a very large surface area, allowing the roots to absorb large amounts of water and minerals

6. Roots
Roots are spread out, helping both absorption of water and minerals and with anchorage…
water

7. Water Why do plants need water?
Plants need water for photosynthesis to take place
6CO2 + 6H2O  C6H12O6 + 6O2
Helps with transport around the plant
Helps the plant stay rigid and upright
Allows the plant to keep cool (transpiration is the loss of water from the plant, as water evaporates from the leaves (which draws up water + minerals from the roots))

8. Minerals Plant roots are also adapted to absorb minerals from the soil
There are three essential minerals plants need to stay healthy: -
Nitrates – for protein manufacture
Phosphates – for photosynthesis and respiration
Potassium – for photosynthesis and respiration

9. Mineral Deficiency
A lack of minerals can cause major problems for a plant: -
A lack of nitrate can cause stunted growth and yellowing of older leaves
A lack of phosphate can cause poor root growth and purple younger leaves
A lack of potassium can cause yellow leaves with dead spots on them

10. Anchorage
Roots provide stability for the plant, keeping it fixed to the soil which is needed, especially when it is windy

11. Transport - Xylem
Xylem tubes carry water and minerals up the plant via the transpiration stream
They have strong side walls made of lignin, giving the plant support
They are made of dead cells with no ends between them

12. Transport - Phloem Phloem tubes transport food up and down the plant
They carry sugars; fats; proteins etc… to growing regions / storage regions in the plant
They are made of living cells